Convertible chair

ABSTRACT

A convertible furniture apparatus including a plurality of three pivotally interconnecting planar cushioned sections with a rearward most section, an intermediate section, and a forward most section. A support structure to which the rearward most section is pivotally secured along a first crosswise axis extending along an upper most edge proximate underside thereof. A second crosswise axis interconnecting the rearward most and intermediate sections and a third crosswise axis interconnecting the intermediate and forward-most cushioned sections. A support frame extending from an underside of the forward-most section and which can be displaced within the support structure and underneath the rearward most and intermediate sections in a reverse folded arrangement associated with a chair configuration. The forward most cushion section being displaced outwardly from the support structure concurrent with unfolding of the interconnected sections to achieve a horizontal extended bed configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/132,998 filed on Mar. 13, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of convertible chairs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Furniture which can be configured as a chair and as a bed is known. Known furniture of this type is one or more of relatively difficult to clean; relatively cumbersome to use; relatively lacking in aesthetics; relatively expensive to manufacture. Examples of known convertible chair/bed assemblies include each of the chair bed of Bell U.S. Pat. No. 2,663,354, Shankman U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,847, and Grossman, US 2016/0037933.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Forming one aspect of the present inventions is a convertible chair apparatus having a forward part, a rearward part, a base structure, a support structure and a spring. Each of the forward and rearward parts have a head end and a tail end. The head ends are pivotably connected to one another for movement of the forward and rearward parts in use between each of:

-   -   a chair configuration wherein the forward part is orientated in         the manner of a chair back with the head end above the tail end         and the rearward part is disposed in back to back relation to         the forward part; and     -   a bed configuration wherein the forward part and the rearward         part are disposed in end-to-end horizontally extending relation.

The base structure is pivotably connected to the tail end of the forward part to, in use;

-   -   define, when the forward part and the rearward part are in the         chair configuration, a chair seat; and     -   define, in combination with the forward part and the rearward         part, when the forward part and the rearward part are in the bed         configuration, a bed.

The support structure, which is pivotably connected to the tail end of the rearward part:

-   -   carries parts that, when the forward part and the rearward part         are disposed in the chair configuration, define chair arms; and     -   is movable relative to the base structure between a collapsed         configuration relatively proximal to the base structure and         associated with the chair configuration and an extended         configuration relatively distal to the base structure associated         with the bed configuration.

The spring is coupled to the support structure and the rearward part and provides a bias to assist in movement of the forward part and the rearward part to the chair configuration. According to another aspect of the invention, one or more of the support structure and the base structure can be mounted for rolling movement such that the relative movement between the extended configuration and the collapsed configuration is defined by the rolling movement.

According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus can further include a handle disposed adjacent the junction of the head ends and is adapted, when in the bed configuration, to be lifted vertically to urge the apparatus to the chair configuration; and the bias provided by the spring can be such that at no point in the transition between the bed configuration and the chair configuration is a force in excess of 8 lbs applied to the handle is required to put or maintain the apparatus into motion towards the chair configuration.

According to another aspect of the invention, the support structure and the base structure can each be mounted for rolling movement.

According to another aspect of the invention, in the collapsed configuration, the base structure can be disposed in nested relation within the support structure.

Other advantages, features and characteristics will become evident upon a review of the following detailed description and the appended figures, the latter being briefly described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment, in a chair configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a bed configuration;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the structure of encircled area 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of apparatus of the type shown in FIG. 1 at a configuration intermediate that of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a underside view of the structure of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of apparatus of the type shown in FIG. 1 at a configuration intermediate that of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of encircled area 7 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the attached illustrations, and referring initially to FIG. 1, shown is an exemplary embodiment of a furniture apparatus, namely a convertible chair 20 which includes a forward part 22, a rearward part 24, a base structure 26 and a support structure 28. As further referenced in the succeeding illustrations and in varying configurations, the forward part 22 is a generally planar cushioned structure having a head end 22A and a tail end 22B (see also FIG. 2).

The rearward part 24 is illustrated as another generally planar cushioned structure having a head end 24A and a tail end 24B (see also FIGS. 2, 4 and 6). The interconnected base structure 26 includes a further generally planar cushioned structure 27 having a plurality of wheels 30 supported at the bottom ends of an underside frame integrated into the base structure 26 (see as best shown in FIG. 4 including the wheels 30). Similarly, the support structure 28 also has a metal frame 29, a plurality of wheels 32 and a pair of handle parts 34 (see again FIGS. 2 et seq.). As further best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the cushioned structure 27 associated with the interconnected base exhibits a generally “L” shape in plan view with an upper component and a front face which contacts the back of the sitter's (not shown) lower legs when in the chair configuration.

Referencing again FIG. 1, it will be understood that the head ends 22A, 24A are pivotably connected to one another and it will be seen that the forward part 22 is orientated in the manner of a chair back with the head end 22A above and set slightly back from the tail end 22B and the rearward part 24 is disposed in back to back relation to the forward part 22. This arrangement of the forward part 22 and the rearward part 24 defines a chair configuration of the parts 22, 24 which is associated with a chair configuration of the apparatus 20.

In FIG. 1, it will further be understood that the base structure 26 is pivotably connected to the tail end 22B of the forward part 22 and defines, when the forward part 22 and the rearward part 24 are in the chair configuration, a chair seat, the base structure being shown in FIG. 1 in a chair configuration thereof, associated with the chair configuration of the apparatus 20. The support structure 28 is pivotably connected to the tail end 24B of the rearward part 24 and the handle parts 34 define, when the forward part, rearward part and base structure are disposed in the chair configurations thereof, chair arms. Additionally, the support structure 28 and base structure 26 are shown in a collapsed configuration, wherein the support structure 28 is relatively proximal to the base structure 26 and the base structure 26 is disposed in nested relation within the support structure 28.

The above-mentioned pivotal connections and wheels allow for movement of the forward part 22 and rearward part 24 from (i) the chair configuration shown in FIG. 1 to (ii) a bed configuration shown in FIG. 2, wherein the forward part 22 and the rearward part 24 are disposed in end-to-end horizontally extending relation. Also, rolling relative movement of the base structure 26 and support structure 28 is facilitated to an extended configuration, wherein the base structure 26 is relatively distal to the support structure 28 and defines, in combination with the forward 22 and rearward 24 parts, and when the forward 22 and rearward 24 parts are in the bed configuration, a bed, as shown in succeeding FIG. 2 in which the forward 22, rearward 24 and base 24 structures are converted to a generally planar horizontal configuration.

FIG. 3 shows a handle 36, located proximate the pivotal interface between the forward part 22 and the rearward part 24, which can be (upon the user grasping between the edges of the parts 22/24) pulled upwardly to provide for inter-pivoting movement from the bed configuration shown in FIG. 2 to the chair configuration shown in FIG. 1. Succeeding FIG. 4 shows the apparatus 20 in a configuration intermediate the chair configuration (again FIG. 1) and the bed configuration (again FIG. 2).

In this fashion, the rearward (uppermost positioned cushion) part 24 is pivotally secured at its upper underside (see as best shown in FIG. 4) to the upper wheeled underside support structure 28 (also an upper wheeled support frame), with the forward part 22 (also an intermediate and reverse folding cushion) being pivotally secured in crosswise extending fashion to the upper/rearward part 24. As further best shown in FIG. 4, and in addition to the secondary or underside supporting frame associated with the base structure 26 (this supporting the carriage wheels 30), a single or width spaced and aligning pair of arcuate linking arms, see at 31, interconnect the forward (also intermediate) 22 and base (see also forward most cushion 27 forming a part of) sections in the manner shown.

In this fashion, inter-pivoting between the three sections 24, 22, 27 results in the conversion of the furniture apparatus between the chair configuration of FIG. 1 (in which the wheels 30 of the underside extending frame associated with the bottom most cushion 27 slide inside of the upper frame structure 28 and underneath the inter-pivoting the forward 22 and rearward 24 parts (FIG. 1) in the chair configuration. As further best depicted in the intermediate configuration of FIG. 4 (i.e. between chair configuration of FIG. 1 and bed configuration of FIG. 2) pivoting occurs along each of three axes including at an upper most axis established between the rearward part 24 and the frame 28 (see at 33 in FIG. 4 secured along a crosswise extending and upper most edge proximate underside thereof of the rearward part 24 relative to the support structure 28), an intermediate axis 35 established between the forward (intermediate) part 22 and the rearward part 24 and, finally, a third forward most axis 37 established between the end most extending cushion 27 (associated with the base structure 26) and the underside communicating forward edge of the forward part 22 (see again as constituted by underside linking arms 31 which are affixed to the underside of the forward part 22 and which are further understood to be pivotally associated with the interior underside of the base cushion 27 as depicted in FIG. 4), and by which the base structure 26 and its underside wheels 30 can be forwardly extended from underneath the wheels 32 of the upper frame support structure 28 in order to convert to the bed configuration of FIG. 2.

With further reference to the succeeding illustrations of FIGS. 5-11, described below, the spring assembly 38 is provided to provide an initial biasing force 39 which influences the uppermost rearward part 24 into the chair configuration of FIG. 1 about the first axis 33. To wit, reference is now made to FIGS. 5-11 which shows the spring assembly 38 that provides bias to assist, inter alia, in movement of the forward part 22 and the rearward part 24 to the chair configuration, the spring assembly including a spring 40 and an adjustment plate 42.

The spring 40 will be seen in the non-limiting and illustrated embodiment to be a torsional spring which extends in supported fashion in crosswise fashion along an upper underside end of the rearward part 24, such that the torsional spring is engaged, at one end projecting end thereof, around and against a proximately located rail of the support structure 28. The spring 40 bears, at an opposite projecting end, in abutting relation against the adjustment plate 42. The adjustment plate 42 is secured by screws into the back side of the rearward part 24.

The torsional spring 40 is tensioned such that at no point in the transition between the bed configuration (FIG. 2) and the chair configuration (FIG. 1) results in a required exerted input force in excess of 8 lbs applied to the handle 36 and which is required to put or maintain the apparatus into motion towards the chair configuration.

Without intending to be bound by theory, the foregoing is believed to have significant advantages including each of:

-   -   the single spring allows for a chair that can be relatively         easily converted to a bed without undue back strain;     -   the single spring is relatively easy to clean, which is of         significant advantage in hospital and similar settings;     -   the adjustment plate 42 allows for relatively simple and         economical manufacture, in that spring tension can be adjusted         as required during manufacture to accommodate dimensional         variations in the various components simply by choice of a plate         of appropriate thickness; and     -   if a spring loses tension through use, minor adjustments can be         made onsite by substitution of a thicker adjustment plate 42,         and full spring replacement can also be relatively easily done         by unskilled persons without special tools.

Beyond that shown herein, other and additional embodiments and variations thereof are envisioned. These can include varying or removing the wheels integrated into both the base and support structures. As well, whereas a specific style of chair is shown, variations are clearly possible.

Further, whereas the forward part and rearward part are shown to be abutting or nearly abutting in the chair configuration, this is also not required and other shapes or designs are possible. Yet further, whereas a maximum 8 lb force is mentioned in the afore-mentioned embodiment, this is not necessary, and greater or lesser amount of spring assistance can be provided. Alternatively or additionally, the torsion spring 40 can be substituted by other biasing structure, not limited to any type coil or leaf spring or potentially including fluid actuated cylinders (hydraulic or pneumatic) integrated into the pivoting connections between at least the rear part 24 and the supporting understructure 28.

Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A convertible furniture apparatus, comprising: a forward part having a head end and a tail end and a rearward part having a head end and a tail end, the head ends being pivotably connected to one another for movement of the forward and rearward part in use between each of: a chair configuration wherein the forward part is orientated in the manner of a chair back with the head end above the tail end and the rearward part is disposed in back to back relation to the forward part; and a bed configuration wherein the forward part and the rearward part are disposed in end-to-end horizontally extending relation; a base structure pivotably connected to the tail end of the forward part to, in use, define, when the forward part and the rearward part are in the chair configuration, a chair seat; and define, in combination with the forward part and the rearward part, when the forward part and the rearward part are in the bed configuration, a bed; a support structure pivotably connected to the tail end of the rearward part, the support structure: carrying parts that, when the forward part and the rearward part are disposed in the chair configuration, define chair arms; being movable relative to the base structure between a collapsed configuration relatively proximal to the base structure and associated with the chair configuration and an extended configuration relatively distal to the base structure associated with the bed configuration; a spring coupled to the support structure and the rearward part and providing bias to assist in movement of the forward part and the rearward part to the chair configuration.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the support structure and the base structure are mounted for rolling movement such that said relative movement between the extended configuration and the collapsed configuration is defined by said rolling movement.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2: further comprising a handle disposed adjacent the junction of the head ends and adapted, when in the bed configuration, to be lifted vertically, to urge the apparatus to the chair configuration; and wherein the bias provided by the spring is such that the effort associated with lifting the handle is defined largely by resistance to said rolling movement.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the support structure and the base structure are each mounted for rolling movement.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, when in the collapsed configuration, the base structure is disposed in nested relation within the support structure.
 6. A convertible furniture apparatus, comprising: a plurality of three pivotally interconnecting planar cushioned sections including each of a rearward most section, an intermediate section, and a forward most section; a support structure to which said rearward most section is pivotally secured along a first crosswise axis extending along an upper most edge proximate underside thereof; a second crosswise axis interconnecting said rearward most and intermediate sections; and a third crosswise axis interconnecting said intermediate and forward-most cushioned sections, a support frame extending from an underside of said forward-most section and which can be displaced within said support structure and underneath said rearward most and intermediate sections in a reverse folded arrangement associated with a chair configuration, said forward most cushion section being displaced outwardly from said support structure concurrent with unfolding of said interconnected sections to achieve a horizontal extended bed configuration.
 7. The apparatus as described in claim 6, further comprising a torsional spring integrated into said first axis and influencing said rearward part to pivot toward the chair configuration.
 8. The apparatus as described in claim 6, said third axis further comprising a pair of linking arms pivotally associated with an underside of said forward most section, said linking aims securing to underside locations of said intermediate section.
 9. The apparatus as described in claim 6, further comprising at least one of said support structure and said forward most support frame including ground supporting wheels.
 10. The apparatus as described in claim 6, said forward most cushion section exhibiting an “L” shape in plan view. 